Interview: Model Mischelle (Australia) (Winner of the month)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I am a professional model from South Australia. I have experience in many forms of modelling, including fashion, beauty, boudoir, and nude art. I have also had the opportunity to perform in an international award-winning fringe festival production, short films, and music videos.

When I am not modelling, I am a busy single Parent - I have two beautiful daughters, my eldest is 7 and my youngest is 3. I come from a large family and although life hasn’t always been easy for us, we have always had each other. My family is the most important part of my life and I cherish every moment we have together. I am extremley blessed and forever grateful for to have them. I love nature, animals, exploring, camping, and all art forms. I am interested in psychology, literature, neurology/neuroscience, astronomy, physics, and engineering. I am curious, adventurous, enthusiastic, and driven. I can be obsessive, stubborn, impatient, and tend to have unrealistic expectations on myself but at the end of the day I am a good and honest human with a lot of love to give to the world.

I am passionate about raising awareness for mental health, rare illnesses, discrimination, inequality, disabilities, and abuse. I am diagnosed with an extensive list of illnesses and disabilities.

I have thought long about how much I would share in this interview.

I believe that my “colourful list” of diagnoses and the person I am is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, embarrassed by or hidden. So why would I leave it out? That would only be dishonest, go against who I am, what I stand for and what I believe in. And I truly hope this inspires, empowers, provides knowledge and awareness to anyone how reads this. So here is what I like to call ‘the colourful list’ of diagnoses and life changing circumstances.

- ASD (autism spectrum disorder)

- ADHD (attention deficit / Hyperactivity disorder)

- Dyslexia

- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

- POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)

- H/EDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)

- MCAS (Mast cell activation syndrome)

ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis /chronic fatigue syndrome)

- Dysautonomia – genetic and degenerative disease this affects my nervous system and Brain.

In the past I have struggled with trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction and I am a survivor of abuse. I am proud to say I made it to the other side and these issues are no longer present in my life. I hope you can take something away from my story whatever it may be.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? Due to my health, I suffer from a lengthy list of symptoms some of these include.

high heart rate/tachycardia, low blood pressure, lack of blood oxygen, chronic fatigue, and pain. My joints dislocate easily, I bruise easily, my skin is easily broken and irritated. I have poor circulation and my blood pools into my legs and feet making them discoloured. As you can imagine this makes it difficult to edit my skin and I never leave a photoshoot unmarked or without consequence. This is something I would change even for a day. In saying that - yes it would be nice not to have these added complications that affect me the way they do every day, but I also know that without having to go through it I would not be the person I am today.

How did you start modelling?

When I was about 20yrs old I was studying with a friend, and she was so excited to show me some images from a photoshoot she had done with a family friend called Dave. She expressed how amazing the experience was and how good she felt about herself. I remember being amazed by how stunning she looked and how happy it made her.

She nagged me for weeks trying to encourage me to book in a photoshoot.

At the time I was struggling with poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. One day I finally built up the courage to book in a photoshoot. I was nervous and went with low expectations, telling myself I was not good enough. But the unexpected happened - I loved it and I left the shoot feeling happier than I had been in years. After that I booked in a few more photoshoots with Dave in between studying and before falling pregnant with my first child. After giving birth my health deteriorated rapidly, I was hospitalised and diagnosed with my health conditions which affected my whole life in a massive way and soon my mental health began to quickly deteriorate further.

My mother suggested I contact Dave and organise another photoshoot. My mother had saw the positive impact it had on me previously. So, I did, And I fell in love with it all over again! photoshoots with Dave quickly became like personal therapy sessions. Everything disappeared when I was in front of the camera, and I was able to express everything I felt to the lens with no judgement whatsoever. When I was 23yrs old I wanted to be a full-time model and even though I continued to put myself down and tell myself I would never be a “real model” because I was not “model material” I started to book TFP shoots with other local photographers. People started to tell me I was good at it and that I should consider taking it further. So, one day I finally took the leap of faith and started modelling full time and it is the best decision I ever made.

What do you think of the work as a model?

Being a model and creating art is the love of my life. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with artists from all walks of life and from all over the world. At times it can be difficult and tiring. And while the modelling industry can be glamorous there are many things that are far from glamorous. Modelling can also be dangerous in many ways, and this is why I have several safety precautions in place to protect myself and others. I have learnt a lot over the years, and it excites me to know there is always something new to discover, more to create and achieve. Creating art is full of endless possibilities, value and meaning.

What is your beauty regimen?

I use a brand called Esmi skin minerals, it is Australian made, it is clean, cruelty free and vegan. All packaging is recyclable and biodegradable. I use esmi hair, skin, and make-up products.

I cleanse twice every day; I exfoliate 2-3 times a week and use a hydrating mask 2-3 times a week. I accompany this with the following skin products.

- Hyaluronic hydrating serum

- Pomegranate brightening serum,

- Hyaluronic - ageless serum.

- Pomegranate brightening Eye serum

- Anti-aging Eye serum

- 24k Gold nourishing oil,

- Strawberry and Rose oil

- A nourishing moisturiser and a hydrating - ageless moisturiser.

- sunscreen

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?

There is only one me in the world and that is the biggest thing that distinguishes me from others.

I am an artist with a passion to create impactful and artistic content. I put my heart into all that I do. I enable myself to dive deeper and go on a journey of discovery. I disappear into emotions and embody characters. I can disconnect from the world to connect with camera. I am forever wanting to improve, learn more and create more.

People tell me that I create a space where others feel safe to connect and express freely without fear.

What are your plans for the future?

Finish setting up a studio with Dave and run more workshops for photographers.

I plan to travel more and hope to model in many different countries.

I would like to pick up the camera more, learn to take self-portraits and hopefully begin photographing other models.

I am excited to learn more about the editing process and techniques.

I desire to write more, and dream to someday write something meaningful for the world.

Most importantly my focus is on being the best mother I can be, spending more time with my family and continue to grow.

What are some of your favourite experiences so far?

One of my favourites experiences was planning and styling a vogue inspired photoshoot. Another thrilling and exciting experience was hiking for 3 hours in the dark after a photoshoot. I have really enjoyed all the body paint and clay photoshoots I have been a part of. It is hard to pick my favourite experience because every experience has given me so much. Overall, I believe having the opportunity to explore beautiful places with others to create art and memories is the most magical experience one can have.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modelling? Do not be afraid to ask questions and always do your research.

Set clear boundaries, know your limits, ensure you have plenty of safety measures in place, know your rights and responsibilities. Most importantly be yourself and have fun.

What do you think of the magazine?

Modelenlland is a creative space that is not only a great way to network, learn and view a variety of art, it is also a place of inspiration, and I believe that it has an extensive amount of potential and opportunity.

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https://www.instagram.com/misschelle.adelaide.model/